[kenny1999]

I hope somebody would recommend a good book for me to "clear" concepts.

For some reasons I need to deal with chemistry concepts in my work, both
theoretically and experimentally, I am an engineer but I don't have a degree
in any chemistry or chemistry-related field. Luckily, I don't need to go into
deep as university levels, but I hope to buy some good reference books or exercise books
that can explain things and concepts more deeply. Especially the qualitative
explanation e.g. why sulphuric acid likely to absorb water, what is difference
between base and alkalis.... why SiO2 is of the ratio 1:2 in terms of their structures.
What is electrolytes and how it works or how it completes the circuit.... what is
the water of crystallization. What is the difference between filtration, distillation,
fractional distillation etc, those quantitative stuff. Luckily, I am good at calculations
so I don't need to concern too much about quantitative stuff.

Any such books that stands out from most commercial textbooks/ exercise books in the markets? Where can I get it? Prices is not a big problem, of course I wish the book would be simple in its texts but not a big dictionary book for doctor.... etc

Most common textbooks usually explain concepts too briefly and assume that everyone would understand well as the writer, so I don't hope this books. THanks

THanks all in advance for the recommendations!

[enahs]

What you listed, you either want a good general chemistry text book to be honest. But it might not have everything in super detail; you would have to go to other books.

Like for instance, the difference between filtration, distillation and fractional distillation, would best be explained in an organic laboratory text book; but it is not going to cover the other materail you mention.

I would start with a general chemistry book I guess.

[kenny1999]

What you listed, you either want a good general chemistry text book to be honest. But it might not have everything in super detail; you would have to go to other books.

Like for instance, the difference between filtration, distillation and fractional distillation, would best be explained in an organic laboratory text book; but it is not going to cover the other materail you mention.

I would start with a general chemistry book I guess.

Thanks. I don't need a "general" book or textbooks because I just have too many on my shelf. However, none of them going into very details but usually I need to explain
to some junior staff about the theory / qualitative explanation to make them FULLY (or at least more than just the simple explanation from those general books). Besides laboratory stuff, I am looking for something discussing more about the molecular levels / concepts etc. I think an exercise book would be more suitable for me in my situation but in the market, most of the textbooks do not have detailed solution or they only explain something one might think particular but not the other (like us)

Please recommend the book that you think the most useful. or any good author? I am going to make a search on Amazon or something ... (in English please) If there are any good assistant website please also recommend, thanks man.

[enahs]

What kind of stuff do you do in the lab generally? That would help narrow down a lab techniques. And is your work more production size scale though?


I have not really come across many good "problems" books. That is usually what the professor usually does. A couple of good laboratory techniques books might be good and also a good inorganic text book; but more information could narrow down the choices.

[fledarmus]

I've heard that the Cartoon Guide to Chemistry http://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Guide-Chemistry-Larry-Gonick/dp/0060936770 can be useful for explaining the concepts in a way that is easy to understand, especially if you already have all the textbooks. I've never seen a copy myself, however. I can't think of anything else that would clear up a very wide range of chemical topics in an easy-to-understand way. It would be much easier to suggest good reading for specific topics.